Sunday, November 23, 2008

After last week's wonderfully deep episode, "The Passenger in the Oven" was just the light fun, with a touch of heart, that the doctor ordered. It wasn't perfect, but I definitely enjoyed it. This may be a 'light' review, especially compared to last week, but hey, we all earned it, right?

Case-wise, I wasn't horribly impressed, but it did have a nice unique aspect that made it fun. I love it when Booth and Brennan are solving cases long distance. The scramble for tools, from the wonderful Charlotte and Nadine also added great flavor.

Charlotte: She's planning the perfect murder.

Charlotte: Code Red!

Charlotte: This is the best flight I've ever been on.

Nadine: What's that delicious smell?Brennan: Roast pork.Booth: That delicious smell is the difference between first class and coach.

Booth: Not even those dotty old mystery buffs carry one of those in their giant purses.

But I didn't really care about the victim, you know? The only "family" of sorts we saw was the guy who wanted to sleep with her and her sex life is pretty much the only thing we know about her. I cared far more about the kid, and his family, that killed her than for her. That could be part of the answer as to why Booth and Brennan seemed callous in the end, compared to past. They just brushed it all off and cracked jokes. I am okay with that, actually. They evolve, and I'm very happy that the victims, and their lives, are no longer choking weights around their necks. They care, but they don't care so much it hurts. And, it would have been overkill to get Angela's empathy, and theirs. We needed Booth and Brennan lightness this time, after last week. Angela shouldering that burden felt very comfortable for once.

Let me say this - intern, wha? Did you miss them? Seriously? Everything flowed so well. Can we end this, soon, please? Just pick Clark and be done with it. I loved not having a 'new guy' in the way, being awkward, being annoying, or anything else.

As always, Caroline was a joy. I admit it's not very logical or probably even legal to use Caroline and Sweets to act as interrogators. I would assume that the interview with the editor would have been considered informal, and not have legal standing for the investigation, though I think it was okay to use that technique to move things along. It's Booths' case, and it's on a tight deadline. They all rely on each other. And, c'mon, it was funny, wasn't it? Pairing the "scary lady" with Sweets was a fun new change. When it came down to it, that scene also really let Sweets shine, not her, which he doesn't get to do very often. She was funny, but it was a moment where Sweets actually got to show his merits.

I felt that way about Sweets for most of this episode. I had one moment of "Why is he walking out of the lab with everyone like he's been there all day?" but otherwise - his appearances and interractions seemed spot on. Sweets has never fit in, always the 'young guy' who is trying too hard. Daisy has not helped his social standing with the group, but I hope they stick it out. He is the little brother, and she is the universally unliked. It's geek love, and it's sweet.

I liked him. And I liked everyone making fun of him. We all win.

Sweets: You know - a little karaoke might help you unwind. Especially when I'm singin'...beautiful tenor.

Hodgins: is that what you really look like?

Angela: What are you, like 16?Sweets: I love these shorts.

Editor: I answered every question the scary woman asked.Sweets: ...she has a knack for putting people in federal prison. I believe she likes to do it. I have a more psychological mojo.Editor: You don't look like you have a mojo.

Booth: You know what, Sweets, you are the man of the hour. I owe you a beer and a rye chaser, my friend.Sweets: That sounds like it would make me sick.

Cam was subtle in this episode, and I was okay with that. She coordinated everyone, and had at least one great exchange with Brennan in their never-ending flesh vs bone battle, but she wasn't greatly involved in any direction.

Sweets: So, the cat's away and it's TGIF?Cam: I'm right here. I'm the cat.Sweets: Well, in this case, I think Dr. Brennan is the cat.Cam: I'm the cat, who's giving the mice the rest of the day off.

Brennan: I dislike the occlusive nature of tissue.Cam: Just think of it as bone wrapping.

Cam is far too efficient to continue to harp on a subject like Brennan. She's figured out how to get what she needs from her people, and that's what matters. To Brennan, bone is sacred. To Cam, flesh, and bone, is just another means to an end.

It does feel she's still a little sensitive about the loyalty everyone has to Brennan though. Even someone who appeared after she did, still sees Brennan as the leader. But, she's not a witch or a whiner about it. If you don't believe she is the boss, she will make sure you see it.

I think we're seeing some healthy cracks in both Hodgins and Angela toward their relationship and breakup. He is obviously still very directly focused on her, and only on her, and he's bothered that she's already found someone. A large part of him hoped that, since it is a woman she found, that it's just a 'phase' that she will pass back out of, and return to him. But she has clearly told him no - she is very capable of falling in love with another man. He doesn't hold her 'real' love, while Roxie is fun and transient. Roxie is just as important as he was, and now he sees it.

I love that he's moved enough to reach out about it, to both Sweets and Cam. Hodgins has actually reached out to Sweets, willingly, and it instantly goes wrong. Sweets seems almost disrespectful of Hodgins, like - you asked me, now I'm going to have fun at your expense like you've always done to me. He is never that obnoxious, unintentionally, to anyone.

Cam was a little more direct on him.

Hogins: Two people, they go away together, and they pack on bag. That means something, right?Cam: ...yeah, it means something.

Hodgins seems to be in a pretty good post-relationship phase. Angela...not so much.

I don't know if it's the breakup, or Sweets direct statements about her actions (I think the later) but she is trying really hard, too hard, to throw herself into Roxie. I said from the beginning that her leap toward Roxie was much more about Angela, and far less about Roxie, and I think that's playing out. Roxie is not an experimentation, it is real, but it's real rebound, not real love. Angela is overcompensating for her wounds and she is starting to feel the sting. I think it's great. I think she's always had a lot more maturing to do, emotionally, when it comes to relationships than Hodgins has, and I think this will all help her grow.

Booth and Brennan were necessarily a lot lighter than last week, but not completely without meaty dialog. It was a fun getaway for the two of them, and I enjoyed seeing some great moments, truly about the two of them, that I've missed.

It did bother me, somewhat, that Brennan sat in first class so casually. But, I don't think it bothered Booth at all. He was far more concerned about her buying a ticket when she could have flown free, than the fact she left him alone in the back. Partially out of boredom, and partially out of the desire to be near her, and her ammenities, he found a way to be up there anyway. I love the discussions that resulted.

Booth: What? We're a team, okay. This is government business. You shouldn't have paid for your own ticket, you know.

Booth: We're partners. We like being together.Kate: Your sexual relationship is not relevant.Brennan: Why does everyone always think we ahve a sexual relationship? I mean, we barely ever even touch each other.

Booth: What do you mean, your real passion? I thought us working together was your real passion.

~*~

Booth: You didn't answer me before. Are you tired of working with me?Brennan: No, it's no that. But the identification and analysis of ancient remains - that is why I became a forensic anthropologist.Booth: You're bored. The spark is gone.Brennan: I'm a scientist first.Booth: Right. Yeah. Scientist first. I get it. I understand.Brennan: Hey, if you get caught up here, does that make me an accessory?Booth: An accessory to an upgrade.

Brennan hurt him again, though far more lightly than we saw last time. Booth is more passionate about their partnership than she is. Even if they were to declare undying love for each other, get married, and have babies - she would still be able to hurt him with her love of science. But, she recognized his hurt, and tried to turn it around a bit in the end.

Quick aside - her statement "the identification and analysis of ancient remains - that is why I became a forensic anthropologist" is wrong on so many levels. One, the identification of ancient remains is physical anthropology, which is what prepared her for forensic anthropology, which is the identification of remains in the course of a criminal investigation. Identification of remains that are thousands of years old is purely physical anthropology, and does not require a forensic anthropologist. On top of that though - from what we've heard before, she became a forensic anthropologist so she could solve murders that others couldn't - like the disappearances of her parents.

The glasses scene is one of those that is going to live on as one of the best.

Booth: Alright, what I want you to do is take off your glasses, shake out your hair, and say "Mr. Booth, do you know what the penalty is for an overdue book?"

I don't think this scene at all contradicts what we know from "Death in the Saddle" at all, either. Booth says that role-play sex, like pony play, is crappy sex. This wasn't directly about sex - it's not like he'd have jumped on her then if she did it. It was a spur-of the moment flirty decision, where a little bit of his own desire, and humor, could shine through. And, for Brennan, who has admitted previous role-play experience in the bedroom, I have no problem that she didn't understand what he meant. I would think that, if Temperance Brennan wants to role-play something, she's going to do her research and really think about it ahead of time. A spur-of-the-moment request to be a dirty librarian would be completely lost on her. That is also why she had to try it out after he left - not because she was too shy to do it for him, but because she really didn't get it. That was an experiment.

Other notable moments between the two of them did abound here, in light fun:

Booth: I am definitely not a squint.Brennan: I've always known that. You have no training in the field of forensic science.Booth: I really don't want any.

Booth: It's my patriotic duty to be right next to her, here, like a bodyguard.

Brennan: Oh, a probe. I didn't think of that.Booth: Good thing I did.

Booth: C'mon, isn't this a lot more fun than the Wo Han cave and the 40,000 year old skeletons?

Booth: You're just filling me up with confidence right now.

Booth: If she was a turkey, she'd be dry and overdone.

Brennan: That could cause a gun to smoke for Caroline.

And, in the end, all is well:

Booth: I'm the one who dragged you out of pure science and pulled you into murder-solving.Brennan: That's not how I remember it....as I recall, I had to force you to take me into the field. You didn't want to, remember? This is all my fault.Eli: Hey, are you two going to make out?

Last week ended on the perfect, poignant, serious note, while this week ended on an important, but far more light note. They learned a bit more about each other this week and I think the lightness was a perfect way to wrap it up.

23
comments:

Anonymous
said...

In the end scene, Booth is the one that coaxed Brennan into saying that she was the one that wanted to go with him while he has that grin on his face and is just leading her along. There was a side that was cut that stated something like: Brennan: "Wow. you just did that on purpose."

The "ancient remains...that's why I became a forensic anthropologist" kind of bothered me too. Especially because most forensic anthropologist wouldn't be identifying bones of ancient remains intentionally (unless if someone found the bones and a forensic anthropologist is called to see whether those are remains or a murder victim). Otherwise she would be a bioarchaeologist.

Another great review Wendy. All your reviews are great. I find myself nodding in agreement with the things you write or sometimes your opinions provide me with a new perspective on a particular episode/scene/interaction/etc. I thoroughly enjoy your website and appreciate all the time you must put into. I love being able to talk Bones because none of my friends/husband are into the show like I am.

Great review! I love how you included the "accessory" quote. Especially since I just rewatched "Woman in the Car" and Brennan gets offended that Booth calls her an accessory. I'm sure the writers put that quote in last weeks episode to show how far their relationship has come.

One thing about the Angela storyline. I thought she asked Roxie to move in because somehow she knows she misses the intensity and sincerity of her relationship with Hodgins. Usually she was that free-sprited-fancy-artist. But she has changed and now she tries to build that familiarity with Roxie.

I think the scene in Angela's office where hodgins comments on how they are so good together "at work," really effects Angela and she reacts by pushing forward her relationship with Roxie. Roxie turning her down was great. Angela may be in love with Roxie but she doesn't love Roxie the way hodgins loves Angela and I think she will start to see that soon.Wendy, i love your reviews they are great for getting me from ones bones day to the next. i hope you do some more old reviews during the dec. break.

I feel like Booth doesn't think all role-playing sex is crappy sex, but more likely thinks that if role-playing is really all you do or the only thing that gets you off, kind of the end-all-be-all for you, then you're having crappy sex. I could see him and a partner start off with a little teasing role-play (e.g. a librarian fantasy), and then not necessarily stick with those roles the whole time and he would be okay with it, not considering it crappy sex.

I concur Lauren, and the pony-play sex is completely different from the role-play Booth hinted at. In the pony-play, there was no emotional connection (as Booth would require there to be) and they practically used each other as sex toys! I don't know about everyone else but I had one thought in that part of 'Death in the Saddle' - eew!

While I loved last week's episode for the drama and passion, the humor in this week's episode brought out the deep connection between Booth and Bones and how he is so invested in their relationship.

And even though she seems a bit more casual about it, when she sees that he is hurt when she doesn't seem as passionate about working with him as he is with her, she makes it up at the end remember the truth of how they got together. Their facial expressions were extremely powerful and a joy to watch.

Maybe someday they will make out. And hopefully it will be soon. We are waiting and not too patiently anymore.

an excellent review.naturally, i have a couple of opinions on particular aspects of the show...

1. the librarian thing...i don't think booth was thinking about role-playing. i think he was remembering/toying with/alluding to cliché (and decidedly sexist) scenes from a couple of romantic comedies from the 50s...where some homely, (and often officious) woman would suddenly transform into a sex kitten just by removing her glasses, and letting down her hair.

2. and the other thing...i thought bones said once that the reason she became a forensic anthropologist was so that the dead would find a face...that the mysteries of their fates would be solved.

That "my true passion" line was the basic sort of pompous line that academics like to toss off---speaking as a pompous academic myself. I don't think she really meant it literally, or considered how it might sound to Booth. It is like a music major saying they "live for Bach," more hyperbole than anything.

What was interesting was that when Booth was hurt, he dealt with it by asking her about it, instead of just bristling and withdrawing. She also noticed that he was hurt when he asked her about it, and made an effort to patch up the misunderstanding. They didn't use to be so functional.

I disagree with the idea that Booth is more passionate about their partnership. They both seem pretty maximally committed to what they are doing. Also, Booth is every bit as passionate about his profession as Brennan is about hers. In fact, I think their common commitment to their professions is one of their primary compatibilities.

thanks for the review. I really enjoyed the episode. maybe not as deep and meaningful as last week, but the interactions were really fun.

I watched the first episode of season 3 last night. It's been a long time since I've seen an old episode and it really struck me how much B&B's relationship has developed in the last year. Makes me very curious about where the writers are taking us. It is hard to imagine they'll get BB 'together' soon, but how will they be able to continue the relationship progression without getting them together? I guess that's why the writers get paid the big bucks ;)

Regarding forensic anthropology, you are wrong in stating that it has only to do with criminal investigation. Forensic anthropology is simply the application of science, scientific method and technology to physical anthropology - it has no a priori directed purpose.

Regarding the posted comment about bioarchaeology, a forensic anthropologist might be called to decide whether ancient bones belonged to a person of a particular ethnicity, or whether the person had lived or traveled in a particular area, or died of a particular disease - all questions an archaeologist or general anthropologist would not likely be able to answer.

Forensic anthropology is a narrow specialty field within anthropology - there are only a hundred or so in the world and they do indeed work internationally. While interest in ancient remains would not necessarily lead one into forensics, Bones's statement is quite believable.

Wendy - thanks for fixing the link so quick. It was a joy to read the review, as always. :-)

I've to admit the glasses scene really cracked me up, it was hilarious.Though I agree with booby-breasted avatar - that scene reminded me immediately of those lovely romantic comedies from the 50s. So I also don't think it was about role playing.

I said that The Con Man In The Meth Lab was my all time fave to date. I take it back: Passenger in the Oven baby!!!! It was amazing how creative they had to be to pull off the investigation & how close Booth is making his case & arresting the suspect seconds b4 touchdown. Booth is DA MAN!